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The Jersey Cow: Shaping My Life

September 2004 - by Davis Peeler, Winner 2003 Youth Achievement Award

There are only a few vague memories of the L.D. Peeler Jersey Farm in Gaffney, S.C. My parents relocated our dairy to Milky Way Farm in Starr, S.C., in 1987. I was three years old. I do have enough memories to know this was a big step for my father and mother. They went from milking in a single side-open four-stall parlor to a double-six herringbone.

My name is Davis Peeler. I am the 20-year-old son of L.D. and Sherrie Peeler. My parents have had the highest hopes and dreams for my sister, Iris, and I to grow up and be responsible adults. Without the Jersey cows, I don’t think they would have succeeded with me.

I owe it all to the little brown cow for the young man I have been carved into today. Currently I am taking a break from school and running the farm due to my father injuring his back. This has been a great opportunity to figure out what I want to do in life. I do plan to go back this fall and get a degree in Ag Mech/Business at Clemson University. After I graduate, I plan to follow in my father’s footsteps and be the fourth generation dairy producer and continue breeding high-quality Jersey cows.

My herd has grown since my dad gave me my first cow at the age of four. Genetics have improved so much since then. It amazes me how the production has increased drastically and the Jersey cow still has the type to go with the production.

My herd began to grow when I purchased Maple Lawn Lester Liza at the National Heifer Sale in North Carolina. She was the dam of Peelers Brass Major Lissa, who has appeared on the Top 200 JPI list since 1999. I have several bulls in A.I. out of her; “Dr. Lott” is the newest. But my pride and joy will always be Peelers Skyline Tamie-ET.

I will never forget my first time showing in Louisville, Ky., at the All American Show when she won the Sr. Yearling in Milk class in the open show on my 10th birthday. My birthday is November 8th, and usually falls on one of the days in Louisville. Most kids have a pool party or something of that nature, I get to eat my cake while I am on poop patrol and would not change it for anything!

I love the Jersey industry and the Jersey people. This spring I had the opportunity to work with Herby Lutz and Jersey Marketing Service staff. I cherish all of the good times we had. I learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t work. I have learned that to make it in farming these days a farmer must be willing to change with technology. Technology is something that will always change faster than I want it to. I am sure my great-grandpa Jasper Peeler, who milked by hand, would never have dreamed there would be robots to milk cows.

My thank you’s could go on forever to the people that have helped me to get where I am today. But Mom and Dad, I know our paths have been long and rough, but I hope we have smoothed the ruts. I look forward to working with you and our fine Jersey cows in the future.

Thank you for the love and support you’ve given me, Mother, even when you didn’t agree with my decisions. Sometimes it takes a few mistakes to learn. You have always made sure I was where I needed to be for meetings, conferences, and to the show ring, you never let me back out of anything.

Dad, thank you for all the skills and knowledge you have taught me over the years, I only hope that I can be half the cowman you are. I also admire your ability to manage money as well as you do. I know you and Mom have been through some hard times, but you have always been able to pull through them.

Iris, I thank you for being a great role model and a big sister. You have always been there to give me that extra push I needed to get through whatever it was. You are also always there to talk. I wish you the best of luck with your new job.

Thanks to my family, I love you all. I also want to thank all the consignors to the Jersey sales with your help I have bred a herd that I am proud of.

And thanks to the Jersey breed. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for you.